VC React Podcast (Episode #30)

This week on VC React, we explore what it looks like when local founders tackle legacy systems head-on — from automating debt collection and rebuilding Africa’s financial rails, to creating real-time AI dubbing engines that break language barriers at scale.

First up – Dubai-based ClearGrid has raised $10 million in pre-seed and seed funding to modernise debt collection in MENA with AI. Backed by top regional and global investors — including RAED Ventures, Nuwa Capital, Wamda, and angels from Twitch, Replit, and Marqeta — ClearGrid is replacing call centres and manual workflows with predictive AI and automated voice agents. We unpack what this means for the $500B+ consumer lending market in the GCC, and whether ClearGrid’s approach can finally bring scale, compliance, and borrower-centricity to a broken system.

Next, Enza has secured $6.75 million to build foundational payments infrastructure for banks and fintechs across Africa. Founded by former Network International execs, Enza is helping incumbents reclaim ground lost to fintechs — with full-stack issuing, acceptance, and real-time rails tailored for underserved markets. Already processing 10 million transactions monthly across six countries, we explore whether infrastructure is where the next wave of African fintech unicorns will be born, and debate the merits of startups having an impact investing angle.

Then, we explore the rise of CAMB.AI, a Dubai-based AI dubbing startup that just raised $11 million to scale its multilingual speech technology. With clients ranging from IMAX to Ligue 1, and a proprietary AI stack that enables real-time, emotion-rich dubbing in over 100 languages, CAMB.AI is proving that world-class AI can be built — and scaled — from the Middle East. We discuss what this means for talent, defensibility, and where the next generation of AI companies will come from.

This week, Ahmad and I were joined by:

• Cristina Bullon, Principal @ Incubayt Investments

• Philipe Moura, Founder & CEO @ Vinci Ventures and President of FDC Angels

• Sara Asad, Venture Capitalist & ex-Endeavor

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